Fire & EMS Chaplain - Emergency Ministries

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JANUARY 2009

3 Articles

Emergency Ministries is an IRS 501.c.3 organization and donations are tax-deductible and greatly appreciated. PO Box 9121 * Spring, TX * 77387

Don't forget to send your prayer request, praise reports, etc. - http://www.emergencychaplain.org/forum

January 19, 2009

"Peace, Baby!"

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

- Romans 15:13 (NIV)

Two hundred and thirty = the number of times the word "peace" is used in our SOG for Life (The Holy Bible). From the Old Testament ( `I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. - Leviticus 26:6(a) NIV) to the New Testament ("I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." - John 16:33 NIV) our REAL CHIEF has made things pretty evident - you will have peace when your focus is on HIM!

Isn't that comforting? Throughout the times of your life when things seem the most challenging, HE tells us that HE will give us peace... HIS peace. What is HIS peace? It is a peace that rejects doubt, fear, trouble and enemies. It is a peace that is given when you rely, when you trust, when you hope on HIM.

Oh, how we try take all our burdens on by our self... by trying to rely upon human understanding. But we soon come to realize that we can't face things on our own. We learn that we can't "let things go" by "leaning on our own understanding." No, we get to a time when GOD lets us know that the only thing that can fill that void in our life is HIS peace. And the only way to accept that peace (that only the Creator of the universe can grant) is to trust in HIM.

Do you want peace? Then, trust in HIM. Ask GOD to become your REAL CHIEF. Ask HIM to mitigate those emergencies on the fireground of your life, as you serve...

...On HIS Shift,

Copyright � 1999-2009 Chaplain Skip Straus and Emergency Ministries.

January 12, 2009

"Thanks, I Needed That"

"May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word."

- 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (NIV)

I can't recall a time in the recent past that I have learned of so many health issues, work problems and marital problems amongst people we know. Couple those things with our economy and current politics... and, wow. Even in our own family, Cindy and I have been praying through the damage to our home from the hurricane, my Mom going to see our REAL CHIEF, Cindy's mom having surgery, my grandmother getting sick... not to mention the day-to-day work issues, etc.

Last shift, I started feeling weird. One of the medics took my BP. "That must be a fluke... take it again." She did. It was the same. It stayed up for about a half hour. To make a long story short, I went to the ER. Full work-up and the results were clear... the doc prescribed a beta-blocker, but said I only need to take one if my BP remains high.

I tell you that story to tell you this two stories; First, I got a phone call from a brother-in-CHRIST (who happens to be on our Board), who said that he felt led to call me just to tell me that he was lifting me up in prayer because he sensed that I was under a heavy burden. Then, this morning, I got a text message from another Captain at work that said something to the effect of; don't let this job get to you - you are a good leader, a good man, a good husband. Awesome. I needed that. GOD knew I needed that to, as our verse says, strengthen me.

Throughout the Bible (our "SOG for Life"), our REAL CHIEF encourages us, which continues to give us hope, which strengthens us to carry on for HIM. Isn't that beautiful? GOD also encourages us to encourage others ("Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching." - Hebrews 10:25), just as my co-worker did.

Do you need encouragement from GOD? Are you encouraging others? One of the ministers to the Apostle Paul was a guy named Barnabas... whose name means "encourager." Be a "Barnabas" to those around you... they just might need it, too, as we serve...

...On HIS Shift,

Copyright � 1999-2009 Chaplain Skip Straus and Emergency Ministries.

January 4, 2009

"Boldly Into The New Year"

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

- Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

Happy New Year to all. You are probably like me right now... 2008 is already history? 2009? Wow!

There is a lot going on around us right now as we start this new year, isn't there? The economy and all the uncertainty that brings. A new President - and all the uncertainty that brings. Now the news of the actions in the middle east and huge earthquakes in Indonesia. All added up, it could paint a picture of darkness and gloom.

But, there is great news... our REAL CHIEF is still in control! And, HE loves you and I. In fact, HE loves us so much that we should be able, as the author of book of Romans wrote, to stand firm in the belief that none of these things will separate us from HIM.

I want to go into this new year with enthusiasm. I want to go into this new year with hope. I want to go into this new year with a renewed, refreshed heart for serving HIM. Won't you join me? Stand firm knowing that nothing can separate those of us who serve HIM...

...On HIS Shift,

Copyright � 1999-2009 Chaplain Skip Straus and Emergency Ministries.

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Emergency Ministries is an IRS 501.c.3 organization

PO Box 9121 * Spring TX 77387